[Would you even bother risking it in my situation?]

Can you simply have more pages added to your passport rather than getting an entirely new passport? That only takes a couple of days, I think.

[Prayuth says transfers made for suitability of current situation: Army spokesman]

Oh, I get it: it was a breach of public morality and completely illegal for PM YL to transfer a government official but it's perfectly okay for the Army to transfer several of them. Of course, the difference is that two weeks ago Thailand had a constitution; now it doesn't. Okay, got it.

[Yingluck still in military custody]

I would be inclined to keep her and the rest of her lackey's there and in heavier detention past the 7 days as permitted by the Martial Law Act. Reason being the lowlife scum lawyer Amsterdam mouthing off that they Thaksin and the Redshirts including the puppet will form a government in exile as per the Thailand live posts. These criminals are not going to learn so charge those in custody via military court as again permitted under the Martial Law Act with a fair charge of sedition.

Pathetic western hypocrites....

[Thai coup leader disbands Senate, assumes law-making power]

BREAKING:

General Prayuth replaces police chief, DSI chief, and defence permanent secretary, dissolves the Senate and takes over parliamentary authority.

These people who come from Western democracies but are happy with the military coup and its repression are the biggest hypocrites of all.

[Thai exceptionalism - a myth or reality?: Opinion]

I'm a bit perplexed as to why the mods posted an article that deals with the monarchy. For all other posters, the topic is off limits - don't start nothing, there won't be nothing.

[Miss Universe Thailand Calls Redshirts "Dirty"]

She has the guts to stand up for what she believes in and not just grab grab grab

Since when did racism and fascism start being considered positive personal qualities? She's a douche bag.

[Abhisit worries the political situation could escalate into a coup]

Abhisit is one of the most transparent, back-handed liars on the world stage today.

[PM Yingluck removed from office]

For the record: all those westerners who are now dancing on YL's grave will be eating their words in three years. This solved nothing and only makes it worse. I'm sorry for what the anti-government people wished for because they got it. Westerners who come to Thailand from democratic countries but support this fascist decision are the biggest hypocrites of all.

[Will I get into trouble for having a one-way ticket?]

Tell them you live in Bangkok and that you are going home. It worked for me...because it was true but no one asked me to prove it.

[Why is it so difficult to reach Nibbana?]

In reply to the original question, "Why is it so difficult to reach Nibbana?" it is often said that we've been wandering in cyclic existence since beginningless time, having resided within each of the six realms many times until our karma in that realm was exhausted and we were propelled to the next. Throughout all of this, the habits and beliefs in an abiding self have become deeply ingrained as our consciousness. The path to Nirvana is the cleansing and purifying of those habits in order to reach the luminous state of Nirvana which is our natural state. When we finally attain that, it is also said one realizes then that all the time we spent in cyclic existence was never real and was an illusion the whole time. Having clung to the belief in a self for so long and so strongly is the reason it's so difficult to reach Nirvana. The various forms of Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana are different approaches to the same goal.

[Abhisit says election is not answer, warns of coup]

Not sure if this chap understands how silly he sounds when he, as the the head of the Democratic party, says that elections are "not the answer"?

Maybe he should first frame the question, then offer a solution. Clearly not the best, nor the brightest, so much for the allure of an Old Etonian.

Agreed. A perfectly good education wastes on this empty suit.

[Cops to crackdown on illegal Bangkok nightlife]

The cops' crackdown on illegal Bangkok nightlife will take place immediately following the shutdown of all the video and music piracy arcades and just before tackling the motorcycle mafias. Eh, hem....

[Can you make me ONE with everything - Dalai Lama gets told a joke about himself]

The reporter had no idea that he was out classed beyond his wildest imagination. Dork....

[Suthep Will Ask HM King To Appoint Himself As Coup Leader]

Just one more outrageous lie and promise Suthep could never make good on.

[2010 unrest: Thai Court says military gunfire kills protester]

It is the duty of the State, ie., the Army, to act reasonably even when others do not. It is not reasonable for Army soldiers to shoot into crowds of mostly unarmed protesters.

I agree with you, but I would point out that it is also not reasonable for 'men in black' to be firing at both sides trying to start a civil war for Dr. Thaksin. The whole operation was designed, funded, and implemented by him in an attempt to stage a 'people's' coup d'etat.

The so-called "men in black" were not acting on behalf of the State in any official capacity so there is no related duty to act reasonably. Their duty was to obey the law which, of course, they did not.

[2010 unrest: Thai Court says military gunfire kills protester]

It is the duty of the State, ie., the Army, to act reasonably even when others do not. It is not reasonable for Army soldiers to shoot into crowds of mostly unarmed protesters.

[Jatuporn, Redshirts promise uprising against coup, appointed PM]

It's becoming more and more apparent that Jatuporn, Thida, and the UDD are a spent force. After their last rally only drew 6,000 attendees, when it was touted to be 100,000 plus, and their poorly attended 'leaders' meeting (which gloried over the killing of children) it is obvious they no longer have broad support. People are disillusioned with the current government and no longer consider them as representing their interests, as evidenced by the very low turnout in Red districts for the February 2 elections. Jatuporn can shout all he wants but nobody is listening except the news media, those on the payroll, and a hand full of fanatics. All these grand pronouncements he makes and veiled threats are just so much hot air. He is like a barking soi dog; annoying but of no consequence. If it weren't for Dr. Thaksin's continued funding, this organization would have dissipated and vanished already. It only exists now to be used as a stick by Thaksin. So sad that beautiful Thailand is marred my this soi dog's incessant barking.

Saying all of this doesn't make it true. PM Yingluck is the elected PM. If she is removed from office by something other than another election, her supporters have every right to protest. I mean, if Suthep can shut down Bkk for months, surely those who voted for the PM have the same rights, also. Respect their votes!

[Military to maintain bunkers in Bangkok despite lifting of emergency]

The military is staying in Bangkok for one reason: to keep the Reds from coming to town.

[M16 attack at house of hardcore redshirt leader Jatuporn]

"The house wall was riddled with two bullets"

Jeez "Riddled" is rather an overstatement don't you think......

Yes, an overstatement. Also, I don't recall ever reading the "hardcore" anti-government leader Suthep.

[Saw a guy assaulting his lady - my girlfriend wanted to turn a blind eye]

I would just tell your gf "that's the way I am and I thought I should help...that's how I'm wired." Don't need to make a big deal of it and don't need to look down on the gf...just be happy with yourself for being human enough to do the right thing at that moment.

[Yingluck flees farmers, protesters]

and that her presence could bring inconvenience to the host.

When she gonna realize that her presence in Thailand brings inconvenience to the people of Thailand .

The losers line up to take another pot-shot at PM YL. Obviously they have nothing better to do than hang around in the street all day and curse. Now, that's REALLY good for the country. Baloney...go home...you lost.

[Surapong seeks world backing]

Maybe he can explain first to the world outside how he and his merry little PTP thieves raped Thailand and its farmers for everything they've got.

Yes, and at the same meeting, perhaps the leader of the Democrat Party, Mr. Abhisit, could explain why he ordered troops to open fire on crowds of civilians when he was PM. Now, that would be an interesting exchange of ideas.

[Dzogchen via intrisic Kundalini]

There is nothing beyond nibbana. There cannot be anything beyond complete liberation which nibbana is.

Frankly, I don't think you are qualified to make such a statement. In any case, there is a larger context. Thervada teaches that one follows the Dharma and practices until one reaches nirvana or extinction of the self and the end of rebirth. That is Theravada. Mahayana, on the other hand, says that practitioners postpone achieving nirvana or extinction in order to remain in samsaric existence to help other beings reach nirvana. They do this by taking the Bodhisattva Vow. A Theravadin who has never heard this or is never presented with this teaching will assume that nirvana and extinction are the end. Now, I've heard Theravadins claim that it is nothing more than a fetter or ego-grasping to want to stay in samsara. The is exactly opposite of the meaning and misses the point entirely. The point is that great compassion for others is practiced and perfected in the Mahayana rather that the practitioner simply achieving nirvana and exiting samsara leaving everyone else behind. It's not a fetter, it is compassion and it makes all the difference.

Further, according the the Mahayana, the nirvana of the Theravada is incomplete. How is it incomplete? Because the person has not completely cleans and purified more subtle obscuration of the self and that Theravada nirvana is incomplete because it does not engender the same great compassion of the Mahayana. Theravadins generally don't accept the Mahayana because they think it was not taught by the Buddha but there are ample authenticated texts, masters, and traditions that say otherwise. The dichotomy of these schools (including the Vajrayana, which isn't suitable for many Mahayanists) is not an indication of false sets of teaches. Rather, it is an indication that teachings exist for all types of beings who have differing capacities and capabilities.

[Dzogchen via intrisic Kundalini]

Read any books by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, especially "As it Is."

Of the three broad types of Buddhism-Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana-Dzogchen belongs to the Vajrayana. Since Thailand (and posters here) are predominately Theravada, the Dzogchen teachings aren't well known. They are extremely advanced and even those who claim to be Dzogchen practitioners, aren't, they just think they are because maybe they've read a lot of books and practiced a lot, even tantric ritual (which aren't accepted in Thailand either). So, this really is not the right forum to ask people about Dzogchen. Equating Dzogchen with the Theravada Nibanna isn't possible as Dzogchen realization is infinitely beyond that but not different. Theravadins will take issue with this statement because they don't think it is Buddhism or Buddha didn't teach Dzogchen and because Theravada believes nirvana is the highest state or the final state and nothing is possible beyond that. Dzogchen says otherwise but is not different.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Dzogchen (which means 'great perfection') is the highest of all teachings. Many Tibetans feel Dzogchen is the most advanced and highest spiritual teachings that exist or to be found. It's probably true if one studies all religions - you simply won't find anything as sophisticated, expansive, and utterly profound as Dzogchen. Even among Tibetans, true Dzogchen practitioners are rare. Among all of the various paths of Buddhism, as the highest teachings, Dzogchen is not even considered to be a 'path' because it is so radically beyond any sort of concept, even the concepts of Buddha, enlightenment, nirvana, etc.

You sound like know a thing or two so thanks for getting involved.

I'm really new to Buddhism as a religion, and I've been reading Buddhist material with the thought in my head,.. that "the great perfection" was the aim of any successful mediation!

Now you say that nirvana is not the same as the great perfection, and indeed, I read on wikipedia that nirvana is ultimately an illusion in the same manner that samsara is.

Would anyone care to estimate, perhaps someone who has met and talked personally with many other advanced practitioners, would anyone be so kind as to estimate how common the experience of this "great perfection" actually is ?

For example; take 1000 Buddhists who have regularly meditated for more than several years... How many of those Buddhists would say they have properly experienced this "great perfection" that's the central theme of all Dzogchen teachings ?

edit; To put it in perspective for a newbie like myself, it would be very helpful to *also* estimate the how common the state of nirvana is (for the same sample group).

[Dzogchen via intrisic Kundalini]

Of the three broad types of Buddhism-Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana-Dzogchen belongs to the Vajrayana. Since Thailand (and posters here) are predominately Theravada, the Dzogchen teachings aren't well known. They are extremely advanced and even those who claim to be Dzogchen practitioners, aren't, they just think they are because maybe they've read a lot of books and practiced a lot, even tantric ritual (which aren't accepted in Thailand either). So, this really is not the right forum to ask people about Dzogchen. Equating Dzogchen with the Theravada Nibanna isn't possible as Dzogchen realization is infinitely beyond that but not different. Theravadins will take issue with this statement because they don't think it is Buddhism or Buddha didn't teach Dzogchen and because Theravada believes nirvana is the highest state or the final state and nothing is possible beyond that. Dzogchen says otherwise but is not different.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Dzogchen (which means 'great perfection') is the highest of all teachings. Many Tibetans feel Dzogchen is the most advanced and highest spiritual teachings that exist or to be found. It's probably true if one studies all religions - you simply won't find anything as sophisticated, expansive, and utterly profound as Dzogchen. Even among Tibetans, true Dzogchen practitioners are rare. Among all of the various paths of Buddhism, as the highest teachings, Dzogchen is not even considered to be a 'path' because it is so radically beyond any sort of concept, even the concepts of Buddha, enlightenment, nirvana, etc.

If real, then it makes Nibanna just another Samsara (impermanent & conditioned).

I thought Nibanna is 'permanent & unconditioned", deathless and infinite.

How can there be something beyond?

That is the point. Theravada says there is deathlessness and unconditionedlessness. Dzogchen goes beyond that and even those who have attained deathlessness and an unconditioned state are still to be trained. It is sort of like 'unpacking' deathlessness and unconditioned. It is way beyond me to understand or explain but those beings who attain nirvana aren't finished, so say Dzogchen teachings. And there are teachers for them. This is all way, way beyond any of us.